Turncoats

Belgium

Architectural debates are rubbish.
We’ve all been there: a panel of similar designers with similar views taking it in turns to talk at length about their similar work – too polite, too deferential, too dull. At best they are lukewarm love-ins, critically impotent, elitist and stuffy. Turncoats is a shot in the arm. Framed by theatrically provocative opening gambits, a series of debates will rugby tackle fundamental issues facing contemporary practice with a playful and combative format designed to foment open and critical discussion, turning conventional consensus on its head.

The Good, The Bad and The Belgian

7:00pm, Saturday 1st July 17

A post-war self-build housing boom has saddled the entirety of Belgium with a rash of eccentric, highly individual, often hideous homes. Yet the trope of the Ugly Belgian House is a tribute to the civic freedom of the Belgian citizen.

In an era of rising xenophobia, architectural taste can play a new role as a built barometer for social tolerance. Many in our industry are trying to regain power, wresting architectural control back from the man in the street. They must be stopped – liberty trumps beauty.

The Panel

Job Floris

Martino Tattara

More speakers TBA

7pm

Saturday 1 July

Tickets are free. Booking essential.

019 - Museum of Moving Practice

Design Museum Ghent

Jan Breydelstraat 5

9000 Ghent

Belgium

WTF!?

Turncoats is a provocative global debating society turning public discourse on its head, shaking and serving over ice. It is off the record, offline and riddled with devil’s advocates hiding in plain sight. Prepare for big arguments from surprising places, where the only allegiances are to the spirit of the fight.

Turncoats is a project founded by Phineas Harper and Maria Smith with the support of Robert Mull and the Architecture Foundation. For all enquiries write to hello@turncoats.uk.